At $14,173/yr net price, Adams State University graduates earn $44,372/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,372/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,173 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $56,692 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,372/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,372/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,130/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,511/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,658/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,496/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,092/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $24,950 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $47,260 | $31,166 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $44,861 | $50,683 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $44,126 | $24,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $34,603 | $19,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $18,340 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $28,019 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $28,019 | $17,125 |
The Risk Factor
31.6% of students at Adams State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Adams State University gives you a mixed-to-weak financial return. You pay about $14,000 a year and come out with median earnings of roughly $44,000 a decade later. The debt load is manageable at $19,500, but the numbers underneath that average carry real warning signs.
Nursing is the one program that clearly pays off. At $57,318, it earns nearly double what English graduates make at $28,019, and it's the only major here that pushes past the school's own median. If you're set on nursing, the higher $24,950 debt still buys you the strongest paycheck on campus.
Everything else is thin. Business lands at $34,603, and Liberal Arts, Biology, and English all fall below $31,000. A biology degree here earns you less than $30,000 ten years out, which is hard to justify against the four-year cost. If you're picking one of these majors, you're paying nursing-adjacent tuition for retail-adjacent pay.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Only 32% of students graduate, and just 55% return for a second year. If you don't finish, you carry debt with no degree to pay it back. That completion risk hangs over every program on this list.
Price scales sharply with income. Under $48,000, you pay around $10,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay over $21,000, roughly double, so the value proposition weakens fast as family income rises.
This school fits you if you're low-income, coming in for nursing, and confident you'll finish. If your household earns over $110,000, or you're drawn to biology, English, or general liberal arts, the pay on the other side doesn't match what you'll spend, and you should compare other options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adams State University worth the cost?
Adams State University's ROI is below average, with graduates earning $44,372 ten years after enrollment against a net price of $14,173 annually. The 31.6% graduation rate means most students don't finish their degree, making the investment risky for many.
What are the best paying majors at Adams State University?
Nursing programs offer the strongest returns at Adams State University, with graduates earning around $57,318. Teacher education and business programs provide modest returns in the $44,000-$52,000 range, while other programs typically fall below the school's overall average.
How much debt do Adams State University graduates have?
Adams State University graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with average earnings of $44,372, debt payments could still strain budgets for graduates in lower-paying fields.
What is the graduation rate at Adams State University?
Adams State University has a 31.6% graduation rate, meaning fewer than one in three students complete their degree. This low completion rate significantly increases the financial risk since students who don't graduate still carry debt without the degree's earning potential.